Magnetic card index

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to rotary magnetic card index devices, and more particularly to devices of this general type in which magnet means is provided within a rotary index card supporting drum for causing the automatic fanning or lateral separation of a restricted number of index cards in the vicinity of said magnet means. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein comprises a frame and a nonmagnetic index card supporting drum rotatably mounted on said frame. A plurality of radially disposed index cards have their inner margins, equipped with unmagnetized magnetic areas, detachably associated with the drum periphery so as to cooperate with a fixed permanent ceramic type magnet within the drum to effect fanning or lateral separation of index cards located in the vicinity of the magnet.

llnite States Patent [72] Inventor Ernest A. DahLJr.

729 Greenwood Ave., Wilmette, 111. 60091 {21] Appl. No. 5,557

[22] Filed Jan. 26, R970 [45] Patented Dec.21, 1971 [54] MAGNETIC CARD INDEX 13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 40168.6, 40/ 142 A [51] lnt.C1 609i 111/34 [50] Field of Search 40/68.6, 105.5; 46/236, 24

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,250,275 5/1966 Mathiesen 40/68.6

1,558,376 10/1925 Lewis et a1 40/68.6

3,207,960 9/1965 MacDougal.... 46/236 X 3,250,274 5/1966 Mathiesen 211/51 Assistant Examiner-J. H. Wolff Attorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell ABSTRACT: The present invention relates generally to rotary magnetic card index devices, and more particularly to devices of this general type in which magnet means is provided within a rotary index card supporting drum for causing the automatic fanning or lateral separation of a restricted number of index cards in the vicinity of said magnet means. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein comprises a frame and a nonmagnetic index card supporting drum rotatably mounted on said frame. A plurality of radially disposed index cards have their inner margins, equipped with unmagnetized magnetic areas, detachably associated with the drum periphery so as to cooperate with a fixed permanent ceramic type magnet within the drum to effect fanning or lateral separation of index cards located in the vicinity of the magnet.

MAGNETIC CARI) INDEX DISCLOSURE It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved rotary magnetic card index device which will function more effectively to fan or laterally separate the index cards which are subjected to the magnetic field.

More specifically, the invention contemplates a rotary magnetic card index device of the type referred to above in which the unique structural arrangement and disposition of a fixed permanent magnet is such as greatly to enhance the effectiveness of the field produced by the magnet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide in the above-mentioned rotary magnetic card index device a novel combination of index supporting drum and supporting frame therefor, and to this end it is proposed to provide a very practical and highly efficient drum and frame structure adapted to be produced economically by the practice of conventional plastic-molding methods.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a rotary magnetic card index device which represents one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a central, transverse sectional view of the card index device of FIG. I, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, central, sectional view of the drum and associated cards taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, exploded view disclosing the parts which comprise the rotary nonmagnetic drum structure;

FIG. 5 is a detailed vertical, sectional view of the magnet and associated parts, said view being taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;-

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ceramic magnet block and plates associated therewith; and,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 of FIG. 3, more clearly to illustrate the manner in which the manually rotatable knob is coupled with the drum structure.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that the rotary magnetic card indexing device is designated generally by the numeral I0. An L-shaped frame 12 provides a base I4 and a section 116 extending upwardly from one extremity of said base. Formed integral with and extending laterally of the frame section I6 is a tubular support 18, FIGS. 3 and 4, which telescopically accommodates one extremity of a hollow drumsupporting shaft 20. The hollow shaft is secured against axial separation from the support 18, by a suitable fastening device such as a screw member 2I. Gussets 18a are provided to lend lateral strength to the tubular support 18.

A nonmagnetic drum means designated generally by the numeral 22, comprises a pair of drum sections 22a and 22b. As will be seen from FIG. 3, these drum sections 22a and 22b are rotatable as a unit upon the periphery of the hollow shaft 20. The adjacent extremities of the drum sections 22a and 22b are provided with complementary notches to effect an interlock between the sections. This interlocking feature is shown clearly in FIG. 4. A circumferential rib, or projection 24 is formed integral with and extends radially from the drum section 220, and a similar rib 26, is formed integral with and extends radially from the drum section 22b. These ribs 24 and 26 are shaped to interlockingly accommodate complementary apertures 23 and 30 respectively formed along the bottom margin ofa plurality of index cards 32.

Attention now is directed to a longitudinal recess 34, FIG. 4, provided in the hollow shaft 20. This longitudinal recess 34 is designated to receive positioning members 36 struck out from a magnetic plate member 3%. Opposed longitudinal margins 3fla of the metallic or magnetic plate 3% flare outwardly at substantially 45 from a vertical plane. The bottom of the plate 33 rests upon elongate flat surfaces it) extending from opposite sides of the elongate aperture M. A permanent ceramic-type magnet 4l2 adheres magnetically t0 the upper surface of the plate 3%, and a magnetic strip M is magnetically adhered to the upper surface of the magnet block or body 412. Particular attention is directed to the fact that the upper curved surface of the magnetic strip MI is positioned closely adjacent and conforms substantially in contour with the inner periphery of the juncture of the combined drum sections 22a and 22b. Embedded within the bottom margin of each index card 32, and positioned intermediate the rib accommodating apertures 2b and 30 thereof, is a thin sheet of unmagnetized magnetic material 46 as indicated by dotted line in FIGS. I and 3.

Projecting axially beyond the right extremity of the drum means 22 as viewed in FIG. 3, is a nonmagnetic knob which is preferably roughened, or knurled, along its outer periphery to facilitate manual manipulation thereof. An integral disc section 50 of the knob 48 is frictionally held at its outer periphery within the adjacent inner peripheral surface of the drum section 22b. Extending axially from the disc section 50 is an integral sleeve section 52 which is rotatable upon the hollow shaft 20. The sleeve 52 is interlocked by lugs 5 f with a notched inner edge portion of the drum section 22b. The outer extremity of the hollow shaft 20 is provided with a yieldably collapsible split heat portion 20a, the shoulder of which cooperates with a complementary inner annular shoulder of the sleeve member 52 to prevent unintentional or unauthorized detachment of the knob A8. A longitudinal reinforcing rib 2tlb extends along, and is formed integral with, the underside of the hollow shaft 20 to lend lateral strength and thus compensate for the upper portion of the shaft which is recessed in the vicinity of the longitudinal slot, or opening, 34. It will be clear therefore, that the knob 48 serves to secure the drum sections 22a and 22b together as a rotatable unit upon the hollow shaft 20.

In assembling the above-described structures, the drum sec tion 22a is first telescopically associated with the left extremity of the hollow shaft 20. The left extremity of the shaft 20 may then be inserted within the tubular section I8. By inserting a screwdriver longitudinally within the hollow of the shaft the screw member may then be tightened in place. It will be noted that the outer extremity of the tubular member 18 is provided notches 56 adapted to interlock with complementary lugs 58 formed integral with the hollow shaft 20. Interlocking the notches and lugs properly positions the shaft so that the recess 34 faces upwardly and the elongate surfaces M on opposite side thereof lie in a common horizontal plane. The magnetic plate 3% may now be mounted on the upper side of the hollow shaft 20 as previously described, and the ceramic magnet 42 with its magnetically adhered strip 44 may be placed upon and magnetically adhered to the upper surface of the plate 3%. In this position and curved upper surface of the strip 44 very closely approximates the inner periphery of the drum section 22a. The drum section 22b may now be telescopically associated with the hollow shaft 20 so as to bring the margins of the drum sections into interlocking engagement. In order to telescopically associate the drum section 22b with the outer extremity of the hollow shaft 20, it is necessary to apply sufficient axial force to collapse the resilient head portion 20a of the shaft. As this point the drum sections 22a and 22b are interlocked and rotatably mounted upon the hollow shaft 20. The sleeve section 52 of the knob as may now be telescopically associated with the outer extremity of the hollow shaft 20 by again yieldably collapsing the head 20a of the shaft so as to shift the locking extremity or lugs 5 into interlocking engagement with the inner edge of the drum section 22b. In this position the disc section 50 of the knob A8 frictionally engages the inner periphery of the drum section 22!; and all of the abovementioned parts are secured against axial separation. The

drum means 22 may be rotated by manually engaging the outer periphery of the knob 48.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the unmagnetized magnetic sheets or areas 46 of the index cards 32 positioned immediately above the magnet assembly will be located within a magnetic field, thus influencing the cards to separate laterally. Magnets composed of ferroceramic material, such as the magnet block 42 are available in elongated form and may be severed into sections of predetermined length. The magnetic plate 44 enhances materially the effectiveness of the power of the magnet 42. By employing the magnetic strip 44, the effectiveness of the magnet to cause lateral separation of the index cards positioned immediately thereabove is greatly improved over devices which have heretofore been available. Also by having the magnetic plate 38 formed with the diverging wings or sections 38a the effectiveness of the magnetic field is further improved. It is important that the upper surface of the magnet assembly to be located immediately adjacent to the inner periphery of the drum, and hence, as close as possible to the magnetic areas 46 of the cards. Thus the predetermined curvature and positioning of the upper surface of the magnetic plate 44 and the predetermined angular disposition of the flared plate sections 38a are of importance in obtaining the desired concentration of magnetic lines of force in the vicinity of the magnetic areas 46 of the index cards.

It will also be apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention contemplates a very practical structural arrangement which may be produced very economically. The number of nonmagnetic or molded plastic parts is reduced to a minimum, including the frame 12, the hollow shaft 20, the drum sections 220 and 22b, and the knob portion 48. All of these parts may be produced by practicing conventional plastic-molding techniques. The ease with which the magnet and its associated parts may be mounted within the drum together with the improved disposition of the magnetic lines of force resulting therefrom assures both convenience of assembly and increased operating efficiency. The particular cross-sectional contour of the ribs 24 and 26 together with the complementary shape of the index card apertures 28 and 30 facilitate the ease with which the cards may be interlocked with, or detached from, the rotary drum means.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary magnetic card index device including a frame, nonmagnetic drum means supported by said frame and rotatable about a horizontal axis, a plurality of radially disposed index cards having their inner margins detachably associated with the drum periphery, each card having an unmagnetized magnetic area adjacent said drum periphery, and a permanent magnet assembly within the drum and having its upper portion located immediately beneath the magnetic areas of a restricted number of upwardly radiating index cards, said magnet assembly comprising a magnet body section capped by a magnetic plate magnetically adhered thereto wherein the upper surface of said magnetic plate is adjacent to and shaped to conform substantially with the curvature of the inner periphery of said nonmagnetic drum means, whereby to enhance the effectiveness of the magnet body in causing lateral separation of index cards positioned above said plate.

2. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 1, wherein magnetic wing members flare from the bottom of said magnet body.

3. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said wing members form continuations of opposite margins of metallic sheet.

4. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said wing members are inclined at substantially 45 from the vertical.

5. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the magnet body is composed of ferroceramic material.

6. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the nonmagnetic drum means is supported at one extremity by the frarne; the opposite free extremity of said drum means having in association therewith peripheral surface means adapted to be manually engaged for imparting rotation to the drum means.

7. A rotary magnetic card index device including a frame, nonrotatable substantially horizontally disposed shaft means supported at one extremity by said frame, said shaft means being unsupported at the opposite extremity thereof, nonmagnetic drum means rotatable on said shaft means, a plurality of radially disposed index cards having their inner margins detachably associated with the drum periphery, each card having an unmagnetized magnetic area adjacent said drum periphery, a permanent magnet means supported by said shaft means within said drum, the outer surface of said means substantially conforming to and being positioned closely adjacent the inner periphery of said drum means, and means coupled with one extremity of said drum means adapted for manual engagement to impart rotation thereto.

8. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said frame includes a base section and an upright section, said shaft means being supported at only one extremity on said upright frame section.

9. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the outer free extremity of said shaft means provides shoulder means to prevent unauthorized disengagement of the a section of the drum means.

10. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the outer free extremity of said shaft means is formed with resiliently collapsible shoulder means.

11. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the shaft means is longitudinally apertured to accommodate an elongate turning tool such as a screwdriver shank.

12. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the drum means comprises a pair of drum sections having abutting interlocking edges.

13. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the shaft means is peripherally recessed to accommodate a magnet assembly. 

1. A rotary magnetic card index device including a frame, nonmagnetic drum means supported by said frame and rotatable about a horizontal axis, a plurality of radially disposed index cards having their inner margins detachably associated with the drum periphery, each card having an unmagnetized magnetic area adjacent said drum periphery, and a permanent magnet assembly within the drum and having its upper portion located immediately beneath the magnetic areas of a restricted number of upwardly radiating index cards, said magnet assembly comprising a magnet body section capped by a magnetic plate magnetically adhered thereto wherein the upper surface of said magnetic plate is adjacent to and shaped to conform substantially with the curvature of the inner periphery of said nonmagnetic drum means, whereby to enhance the effectiveness of the magnet body in causing lateral separation of index cards positioned above said plate.
 2. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 1, wherein magnetic wing members flare from the bottom of said magnet body.
 3. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said wing members form continuations of opposite margins of metallic sheet.
 4. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said wing members are inclined at substantially 45* from the vertical.
 5. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the magnet body is composed of ferroceramic material.
 6. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the nonmagnetic drum means is supported at one extremity by the frame; the opposite free extremity of said drum means having in association therewith peripheral surface means adapted to be manually engaged for imparting rotation to the drum means.
 7. A rotary magnetic card index device including a frame, nonrotatable substantially horizontally disposed shaft means supported at one extremity by said frame, said shaft means being unsupported at the opposite extremity thereof, nonmagnetic drum means rotatable on said shaft means, a plurality of radially disposed index cards having their inner margins detachably associated with the drum periphery, each card having an unmagnetized magnetic area adjacent said drum periphery, a permanent magnet means supported by said shaft means within said drum, the outer surface of said means substantially conforming to and being positioned closely adjacent the inner periphery of said drum means, and means coupled with one extremity of said drum means adapted for manual engagement to impart rotation thereto.
 8. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said frame includes a base section and an upright section, said shaft means being supported at only one extremity on said upright frame section.
 9. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the outer free extremity of said shaft means provides shoulder means to prevent unauthorized disengagement of the a section of the drum means.
 10. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the outer free extremity of said shaft means is formed with resiliently collapsible shoulder means.
 11. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the shaft means is longitudinally apertured to accommodate an elongate turning tool such as a screwdriver shank.
 12. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the drum means comprises a pair of drum sections having abutting interlocking edges.
 13. A rotary magnetic card index device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the shaft means is peripherally recessed to accommodate a magNet assembly. 